The world is changing and we must be ready. Isothermal is here to help you meet the “challenge of change” and provide you the education and training you need to “stay near go far.“ Isothermal is one of North Carolina's leading community colleges serving Rutherford and Polk counties, with three locations, and a leading online learning college. Isothermal is an accredited institution with more than 100 associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates that prepare students for University transfer or immediate employment. The college also offers short-term, non-degree programs in healthcare, hospitality, emergency services, and more. Isothermal also serves high school students at the REaCH early college, and also offers classes at area high schools through Career and College Promise program.
As an integral community partner, Isothermal Community College exists to improve life through learning by providing innovative, affordable educational programs and inclusive opportunities for personal, professional, economic, and cultural development.
Founded in 1964, Isothermal Community College serves Rutherford and Polk counties in the beautiful foothills of western North Carolina. Isothermal, named for the region’s steady climate, is a comprehensive, two-year public institution and is a part of the North Carolina Community College System. Isothermal’s core purpose is to improve life through learning.
Isothermal Community College is named after our location in the isothermal belt, an area in the foothills of Western North Carolina with significantly milder temperatures than its immediate neighboring areas. The phenomenon usually occurs on the southern slopes of mountains, in our case the off the Blue Ridge Mountains. These mountains protect our foothills region by breaking up weather fronts and giving us a more temperate climate than surrounding areas.
Unlike most other community colleges, Isothermal is named for the region rather than the county where we are located .
